This Aussie model shared a very different kind of before and after post

MORE. 👏 OF. 👏 THIS. 👏 PLEASE! 👏

Mar 13, 2018 3:14am

By Erin Cook

Repeat after us: health comes in all shapes and sizes; skinny does not necessarily equal healthy; losing weight will not make you happy.

While we all know that fitting into sample size clothing doesn't make you a superior being, sometimes we need a little reminder. Today's dose of body positivity comes via Aussie model — and one half of Insta-babes @Any.Body_Co — Kate Wasley.

Recently, Kate posted a very different kind of before and after to Instagram. In the 'before' picture on the left, Kate is at her lightest (and also very unhappy). Whereas in the 'after' snap on the right, we see Kate as she is now. She posted the before and after to share her emotional experiences with fad dieting and obsessive calorie counting.

On why she started an extreme diet

“So in high school I was quite over weight, at least 8-10kgs heavier than I am now on the right. I used to get a lot of comments about how I'd be 'hot' if I lost weight and that I had such a pretty face etc. people weren't necessarily mean to my face but the little comments stung as I was only 17 and the way I looked and what people thought of me was still a big deal.

“I started dieting HARD. I spoke to a few of the girls in my year who I'd look at and think were absolutely STUNNING… I got what I needed from these girls in my year and a quick Google and started my very first diet that was the 'detox' it consisted of something ridiculous like 800 calories and a DISGUSTING juice with every meal that the cheap box and my one Google search had convinced me was healthy and give me the body I desired.

“Fast forward a few years and I had tried every diet in the book, high protein, protein only, no carbs, detox’s, juice cleanses and settled on one that I found worked and made me feel good, not eating.”

On how she felt about herself when she was ‘skinny’

“I was at a point where I didn’t know how to eat more that I was stuck calorie counting my chewing gum, I would blend lemon, ice and spinach into a ‘smoothie’.

“At the time I could have sworn to you that I could forever maintain the no carb low calorie life style... I couldn’t. I lost energy, motivation, I was tired and irritable all the time. I stopped seeing my friends because I was scared of eating/ not eating in public. I was 18 and refused to go out and have fun or have a drink with my friends because it seemed the skinnier I got, the more self-conscious I got. I would exercise until it hurt and omg, I was fit.

“I became so self-aware of all my flaws that I hated myself so much I didn’t want to go out.”

On how she feels about herself now

“I went to Europe myself and refused to eat any of the amazing pasta in Italy, didn’t drink the wine because I beat myself up so hard about my calorie intake and basically wasn’t enjoying life at all because I hated myself, I decided to make a change.

“I went and got my certificates in personal training and went on the study health promo and nutrition at uni. I started eating a healthy and balanced diet (which was a hard change) I kept exercising but wouldn’t beat myself up if I didn’t.

“I’m much happier now that I’ve accepted my body. It is a hard thing to do especially when you feel you’re at rock bottom. It a journey I’m still on myself and it’s tough in a society where ways to achieve the ‘perfect body’ is constantly shoved down your throat. I still have my days where I stress about my flaws and that’s ok because I’m human.

“Live your life, make healthy choices, enjoy your friends and family, try new food, screw what people think, eat the pasta is you want to and BE KIND TO YO’SELF!!!”

If we saw more before and afters like this on Instagram, the world would a much more chill, much happier place. Thank you, Kate.

If you, or anyone you know is experiencing an eating disorder or body image concerns, you can call the Butterfly Foundation National Helpline on 1800 33 4673 or email support@thebutterflyfoundation.org.au.